Election Day, which falls on Tuesday, Nov. 5, will not be considered a federal holiday for University staff and students, as specified in the Massmail released by Interim Vice Chancellor Lowa Mwilambwe on Oct. 28.
The Illinois State Legislature passed an Election Day holiday as a one-year measure for election years 2020 and 2022. However, while the state legislature passed similar legislation for 2024, this was not extended to universities in the Omnibus Election Bill. The Democratic majority voted to pass it, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed it into law.
Rep. Carol Ammons, who represents the 103rd District in the Illinois General Assembly, did not comment on the details that went into this decision.
The Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/1-24 mandates that Election Day be treated as a legal holiday under the school code but does not cover universities. It falls under the jurisdiction of the State Universities Civil Service Merit Board.
Under Section 36d of the State Universities Civil Service Act, the Merit Board has the power and duty to establish requirements in standards for holidays, among other things, for the universities listed in the act.
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Without a specific legislative directive from the Illinois State Legislature, Election Day will be a working day for University faculty and students. Classes and exams will be held as scheduled.
However, employees required to work may be eligible for time off to vote under the General Election Voting Leave policy, according to the Massmail.
“State law grants eligible employees up to two hours of paid leave for the purpose of voting in a general election if their working hours on Election Day begin less than two hours after polls open and end less than two hours before polls close,” the Massmail said.
Information about on-campus Election Day voting sites can be found on the Office of Civic Life website.
Mwilambwe encouraged eligible staff and students to vote in the election via the Massmail.
“If you are eligible to vote in this election, we encourage you to exercise that right and make your voice heard on the issues that matter most to you,” the Massmail said.
